Constructing the Brexit foundations

While UK is heading for their EU divorce, the complexity of the process becomes clearer. It is not only about economy and migration control. The process has to be handled within a geopolitical framework. Instead of hammering out a British Brexit-model at home and then present it to their European partners, contact between the two camps and the world outside is of great importance for the negotiations.

The geopolitical perspective is clearly visible at the ongoing European Council meeting in Brussels. EurActiv has an interesting observation in their coverage of the meeting

Entering her maiden Council, May struck a different tone to her predecessor David Cameron. Cameron would often tell news cameras that he was in Brussels  to fight for a good deal for Britain.

Instead, May stressed the need for a unified and robust response to Russia’s bombing campaign in Syria.

“We must show a robust and united European stance in the face of Russian aggression,” she said.

“We must continue to work together – it’s vital that we work together to continue to put pressure on Russia to stop its appalling atrocities, its sickening atrocities in Syria.”

Before the Council meeting UK had also cooperated with heavyweights  Germany and France to prepare a proposal - probably coordinated with the USA - to pointedly threaten new sanctions against Russia and other supporters of the Syrian government. The bid was unsuccessful and highlighted deep fractures in the block, but it demonstrated that UK also after Brexit intends to be a strong and necessary geopolitical partner for the west

The geopolitical context will of course be of importance in the negotiations. To avoid that "the west" becomes weakened the negotiations have to minimize the split between UK and EU 27 and within the EU 27 as much as possible. 

The Brexit preparations and negotiations might be tough, but the foundations and context for the process indicate that an successful agreement will be achieved.